The ball may break back to the left at the hole but it will originally go right off the putter face. The same is true if the ball is above your feet. If you hit a putt with the ball above your feet it is initially going to break left.
How do you hit a putt with your hands?
Work on keeping your hands relatively centered in front of your body, and use your wrists and elbows to swing the putter back (above, bottom photo). Instead of pushing the arms toward the target (top photo), let the putter use gravity to fall into the back of the ball. This is all the force you need to hit the putt.
Why does my putter hit the same side of the ball?
If you manipulate the stroke with your hands, or shove the putter toward the ball, it will hit one side of the barrier before the other—something you'll feel right away as negative feedback. Stan Utley is based at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale. Check out Golf Digest All Access to get over 150 lessons on any of your devices, at any time.
How do I Make my putter hit the ball faster?
For long putts, just bring the club back farther. The more time and distance it has to reach the ball, the faster it's moving when it gets there. To get a better sense of how gravity, not your arm swing, should let the putter fall into the ball, set up on a green next to the collar and the ball a foot into the fringe.
Do most golfers use too much effort to hit putts?
"MOST GOLFERS USE WAY TOO MUCH EFFORT TO HIT PUTTS." One feature of inconsistent putting strokes is too much shoulder-and-arm action. When you pull your arms back and then push them toward the hole to make a stroke, you're essentially swinging the wrong end of the club and relying on a fundamentally inconsistent power source.
How do you break a golf putt?
0:005:48Hole More Breaking Putts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the way I do this is I go ahead and hit a few putts without any at-te or anything in the way. AndMoreSo the way I do this is I go ahead and hit a few putts without any at-te or anything in the way. And I find a ball that I've hit with really good speed. That goes right into the center of the cup.
Where should your feet be when putting?
The conventional Putting Stance is shoulder-width, feet parallel to your aimline, and with your toes pointing straight ahead. In other words, your feet are lined up with the other flow lines of shoulders, forearms, hips, and knees.
How do you read a break in putting?
4:516:24The Easy GOLF PUTTING LESSON to Help You Read Break - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo every putt you get you get half of the cup to work with so the true center of the cup. For thisMoreSo every putt you get you get half of the cup to work with so the true center of the cup. For this particular putt is on the side it's not on a straight line from the ball to the cup.
Should your stance be open when putting?
The key to distance control is to roll the ball, not hit it. To do this, take an open stance, your weight slightly favoring your left side and your putter shaft leaning toward the target. The open stance makes it easier to feel the left hand going out and down the target line.
How far should you stand from ball when putting?
The optimum ball position is typically around 8 to 9 inches from your toe-line, the same distance from the hollow in your neck to your eye-line. As the head of most putters are about 4 to 4½ inches long, the distance is about two putter heads.
Why do I slice my putts?
0:021:23Prevent the Cut Putting Drill - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis prevent the cut drill is going to help you kick that habit. If you tend to cut your putts.MoreThis prevent the cut drill is going to help you kick that habit. If you tend to cut your putts.
How do pros line up putts?
The majority of professional and collegiate golfers use the line on short putts, especially those that are not starting outside the hole. Many of those players don't use the line on putts with large amounts of break or outside 15-20 feet.
How do you sink more putts?
0:242:00How to Sink More Putts with David Leadbetter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo sticking that bottle under your right arm. And you can squash it in there. So it's fairly tight.MoreSo sticking that bottle under your right arm. And you can squash it in there. So it's fairly tight. And then say just simply just rock your shoulders. And your chest back and forward.
How much break do you put in a putt?
Take the amount of break you think will be in the putt and triple it. But make sure you adjust your speed accordingly. You want your putt ideally to end about 18 inches beyond the hole. Plan for that, play more break than you think you should, and you'll be astounded at how many putts begin to fall.
Should you bend over when putting?
1:242:40Titleist Tips: Improve Your Putting with Proper Posture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhen you bend over into your putting posture you're gonna notice that your back.MoreWhen you bend over into your putting posture you're gonna notice that your back.
Should you bend your knees when putting?
You should have a slight knee flex in your putting stance. If your knees are locked, you're straining your back too much.
What part of the golf ball do you look at when putting?
0:177:15Where Should Your Eyes Focus In The Golf Swing? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOver top of the ball.MoreOver top of the ball.
What is a break in putting?
The break is the amount a putt moves from right to left, or left to right, on a green. The grass of the course can affect the ball's break.
How do you read the green when putting?
2:546:16The Best Way to Read Greens for Golfers! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI cover the right half I see the flag way to the left of my putter so I know this breaks. I thoughtMoreI cover the right half I see the flag way to the left of my putter so I know this breaks. I thought was fairly straight but now this plum technique is telling me it breaks at least.
How do you read a long putt?
0:091:20Best Way to Read a Long Putt | Nick Faldo's Routine - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo quickly pace it one two three four five six seven eight nine half it four and a half uphill.MoreSo quickly pace it one two three four five six seven eight nine half it four and a half uphill.
How do you read an uphill putt?
2:544:02The Simplest Way to Read Greens and Control Speed in PuttingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's a little bit of a push. But I think you get the idea so just using something as simple asMoreIt's a little bit of a push. But I think you get the idea so just using something as simple as placing a tee around the hole. Again. We're going to place it on the high side for left-to-right putts.
How to activate lower body during golf swing?
Your feet might be the least of your worries now, but by focusing on a few small tweaks in your heels and toes , you can help activate your lower body throughout your swing. “Foot action determines so many things within the golf swing that it’s almost indescribable,” Jack Nicklaus says.
How does Jack Nicklaus explain the golf swing?
Jack Nicklaus explains how your feet are holding back your swing. Jack Nicklaus breaks down how to fix up your feet throughout your golf swing. One of the most common misconceptions about the golf swing is the importance of the lower body. Sure, your upper body is doing the hard work — striking the ball and pulling the club through ...
Changes in Elevation
In the longer version of the game with your fairway shots there are a number of adjustments to your setup when you are on a slope with the ball above or below your feet. Why not make similar adjustments when you putt?
Right to Left Putts
It is a common belief among golfers that right-to-left putts are easier for the right-handed golfer than putts that break the other way. This is because the arc of the swing travels right to left around your body and is more consistent with a natural stroke.
Suggestion for Breaking Putts
One suggestion for breaking putts deals with your ball and shaft position. On a left-to-right putt you should advance the ball in your stance and move your hands back. At the point of contact your putterface will be closing so the ball will start slightly left of your aimline (target line).
Square at Impact
To my thinking this idea seems more of a band-aid solution than good form. As all putts begin straight, I feel that you should always try to square the putterface at impact.
Radius of Putter
One fundamental of a sound putting setup is that your putter is properly soled on the ground. You don't want either the toe or the heel off the ground. On a sloping surface the relationship between the sole of the putter and the surface changes.
Posture
Unlike straight uphill or downhill putts your feet on breaking putts will be more level. In general the only adjustment you may need to make is in your posture.
Look and React
Ask someone to throw you your car keys when you are four to five feet away and the average person will have no difficulty in doing so.
Motor Skills
All motor skills have to be learned, even though the learning may take place without any conceptual understanding of what is required. A baby learns to walk through persistence without formal instruction. Can putting be learned in the same way?
Conscious Learning
However, if putting, like throwing a dart, can be performed at varying levels of expertise, what aspects of putting must be learned through conscious effort? What input do you need if you want to improve your putting?
Putting by Feel
Throughout your life you are constantly judging distances in order to avoid colliding with obstacles. Here Putting by Feel works. The trick is to get out of your own way by delegating the task to your subconscious mind. If you try to control the distance by consciously managing the length of your putting stroke, you are liable to do a poor job.
What to do if you lose your feel in golf?
If you lose your feel during a round of golf, go ahead and make some one-handed practice strokes while you are waiting for others to putt. You can't actually hit practice putts during a round, but there is nothing stopping you from using one-handed practice strokes to regain some of your feel.
How to improve feel in golf?
One of the best ways to improve your feel is through the use of some practice drills. As a golfer, you are likely familiar already with the concept of practice drills.
How close to the edge of the fringe should you roll the ball up?
The idea is to roll the ball up as close to the edge of the fringe as possible without actually putting the ball off the green. This drill isn't concerned with the line of your putt – only the speed. Make it your goal to roll the ball up within a couple feet of the fringe on each putt.
How far from the cup should you put the golf ball?
Put the five golf balls down on the green next to the tee that is 30 feet from the hole and get ready to hit the first putt. Your objective is simple – to roll the ball past the tee you set up five feet from the cup. However, while rolling the ball past that tee, you also need to come up short of the hole itself.
How to roll the ball up on a putt?
Make it your goal to roll the ball up within a couple feet of the fringe on each putt . Once you have hit all three putts, walk across the green to retrieve your golf balls and then putt them back in the other direction. Of course, you can use this drill back and forth across the green for as long as you would like.
How many hands do you need to hit a putt?
Quite simply, you are going to hit putts with only one hand on the club at a time. By making your stroke with only one hand on the club, you will be able to better feel how that hand influences the movement of the putter.
What to do if putting green is crowded?
If the putting green is crowded, do your best to find a path across the green that isn't going to get in anyone's way. Obviously, if you can't find a path across the entire green, you can use just a section – but do your best to find the longest putt possible.
Why does my putter keep moving?
This can make it very difficult to control both distance and direction. A good general rule is if your putter is moving, your head should not be — stroke, then look.
What is the ball position in golf?
Ball position is a direct contributor to the alignment of your shoulder and forearm lines, which largely dictate how your body lines aim. For example, if your ball position is too far forward in your stance, this would make your shoulder line aim too far left for a right-handed golfer. This path would cause you to pull putts as well as potentially ...
How to be a good putter?
Walk your line to stealthily pace your putt. One of the keys to being a good putter is controlling distance so that your first putt settles in tap-in range. Often having a true sense of the distance of the putt or the uphill or downhill can be difficult to tell from back by your ball.
Does GolfLogix have a green reading map?
If you have a hard time seeing the tilts of the green, a green-reading map can be an invaluable resource. We’ve seen the pros use these on Tour for years, but recently, GolfLogix has launched its own green maps, making it easier than ever for amateur golfers to acquire this tool for their home course. ( Ed note: GolfLogix and GOLF.com are affiliates of 8AM Golf .)
Can you miss a few putts?
It happens to every golfer, even to the pros: You miss a few putts, have back-to-back three-jacks or miss a straightforward 5-footer to lose a match and your confidence goes. Sometimes it can take only a few holes to get your mojo back, but in more dire cases, it can a take a few rounds. Take heart!
Can you change your putter if you are in a slump?
If you are a decent putter and you run into a slump, simply changing something like your putter can be enough to make a difference. I try different putters, but often I end up right back with the same style that I prefer. You will know it when you have the right putter.
How to hit a putt with enough speed?
You'll quickly discover that you don't have to add force with your hand to hit a putt with enough speed to get the ball rolling a long way. After several reps, switch to your lead hand and do the same drill. Then finally, practice two-handed putts on the green, feeling that same free-fall sensation.
How to flip a triangle putter?
You have to flip the triangle! Work on keeping your hands relatively centered in front of your body, and use your wrists and elbows to swing the putter back ( above, bottom photo ). Instead of pushing the arms toward the target ( top photo ), let the putter use gravity to fall into the back of the ball.
How to teach putting stroke?
If you asked a lot of golfers how to teach the putting stroke, they might say that when holding the club, the arms and shoulders create a triangle shape that points down at the ball. The goal is keeping that triangle shape intact during the stroke. I get the visual, but I think it's upside down. The best putters make a stroke where the putterhead creates the triangle's base and the grip end is the point. Can you picture that? This principle is why anchoring a putter against your chest is now against the rules. It makes putting way easier. Fortunately, you can use my triangle visual without anchoring. It will make your stroke so good, it will seem like cheating. But it isn't. — With Matthew Rudy
How to get a better sense of gravity?
To get a better sense of how gravity, not your arm swing, should let the putter fall into the ball, set up on a green next to the collar and the ball a foot into the fringe.
Can you use a putter without anchoring?
Fortunately, you can use my triangle visual without anchoring. It will make your stroke so good, it will seem like cheating. But it isn't.
Changes in Elevation
Right to Left Putts
- It is a common belief among golfers that right-to-left putts are easier for the right-handed golfer than putts that break the other way. This is because the arc of the swing travels right to left around your body and is more consistent with a natural stroke. When the ball breaks away from, rather than towards your feet, there is an uncomfortable feeling that you somehow have to stee…
Suggestion For Breaking Putts
- One suggestion for breaking putts deals with your ball and shaft position. On a left-to-right putt you should advance the ball in your stance and move your hands back. At the point of contact your putterface will be closing so the ball will start slightly left of your aimline (target line). On the other hand for a right-to-left putt you should posi...
Square at Impact
- To my thinking this idea seems more of a band-aid solution than good form. As all putts begin straight, I feel that you should always try to square the putterface at impact. It is important that your ball starts off on the aimline you have chosen, and tinkering with impact positions makes this more of a lottery.
Radius of Putter
- One fundamental of a sound putting setupis that your putter is properly soled on the ground. You don't want either the toe or the heel off the ground. On a sloping surface the relationship between the sole of the putter and the surface changes. Although most putters have a radius on their sole to accommodate any marginal changes in lie angle, you need to be aware of how your putter is r…
Posture
- Unlike straight uphill or downhill putts your feet on breaking putts will be more level. In general the only adjustment you may need to make is in your posture. Your posture should conform to the slope of the green. With the ball below your feet you may have to lean forward slightly. With the ball above your feet you may have to stand taller In the end breaking putts are more to do with pi…